The first-ever count of the homeless in Squamish has identified 107 homeless people in the community.
The 2021 point-in-time homeless count took place on the evening of April 28 and the day of April 29 to help provide an overall snapshot of homelessness in Squamish.
The count was led by Sea to Sky Community Services and the Squamish Helping Hands Society in collaboration with the Homelessness Services Association of BC, which did the count on behalf of BC Housing and the Ministry of Attorney General and Housing.
The data from this count and others conducted across the province will be included in a provincial summary in fall 2021.
The count also took data on age, gender, Indigenous and racial identity, health concerns, reasons for housing loss, and use of social services.
On the night of the count, 22 per cent were in the homeless shelter, while the rest were found in vehicles, followed by those in makeshift shelters or tents, or just outside.
Of the 107 people, 64% were men, 34% women, and 1% identified as another gender identity.
As many as 82% of respondents said they had been in the community for at least one year.
Not enough income was the main reason cited for homelessness, followed by substance abuse, and conflict with others. As many as 84% indicated one or more sources of income.
